Dassault Aviation’s CEO Eric Trappier told France’s Senate that FCAS—the European Future Combat Air System—stalled because cooperation became dominated by industrial politics rather than execution. Trappier described FCAS as a program in which the lead industrial role does not translate into real decision-making freedom, with partners repeatedly renegotiating key aspects of work.

He said the industrial and contractual approach prevented the partners from moving with the speed needed for a sixth-generation fighter, despite the fact that Dassault and its team completed calculations on the aircraft’s shape and believe the program could have progressed faster if decisions had been locked earlier. Trappier contrasted FCAS’s difficulties with previous multinational collaboration he said worked more smoothly, pointing to the nEUROn drone effort.

Asked what happens if FCAS fails, Trappier said “Plan B is a super-Rafale,” framing Dassault’s national path as building on existing Rafale and FCAS-derived technologies. He argued that Rafale’s upgrade trajectory and continued investment would make the French aircraft increasingly capable, and he suggested the next-generation system could operate alongside Rafale rather than replace it immediately.

Trappier also used his Senate appearance to outline how decisions on industrial partners may shift. While he emphasized that Dassault would welcome cooperation, he said it is up to France’s political leadership—not industry—to decide whether the future combat aircraft is built with traditional allies or with non-European partnerships. He argued that if the aircraft is produced as currently conceived with three partners, Rafale’s cost would look comparatively low.